NYS Law: Surgical Smoke Evacuation

Attention OR nurses:

Did you know that, as of June 14, 2023, NYS Public Health Law §2830 requires the use of an airborne contaiminant evacuation system for procedures that generate surgical smoke? These systems capture, filter and remove surgical smoke before the smoke makes contact with the eyes or respiratory tract of anyone present in the surgical room. Lasers and other electrosurgical units used to stop bleeding or incise tissue produce surgical smoke as do ultrasonic devices and high-speed burrs, drills and saws.

Surgical smoke contains numerous toxins including benzene, toluene, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, viruses, bacteria and even viable cancer cells. OSHA estimates that over half a million healthcare workers are exposed to surgical smoke every year. Surgical masks provide almost no protection against the hazardous components of surgical smoke.

More information on the content and health effects of surgical smoke can be found here.

If surgical smoke evacuation systems are not used during smoke-producing surgeries at your facility, please contact the NYSNA Occupational Health and Safety Representatives at healthandsafety@nysna.org for assistance.